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I see @nationalpost has an article out about transition regret in young people. Because of course they do.
As the parent of a young nonbinary person and someone who has worked extensively with trans/nonbinary youth and their families for several years, I have some thoughts.
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As the parent of a young nonbinary person and someone who has worked extensively with trans/nonbinary youth and their families for several years, I have some thoughts.
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First, I do not doubt for a second there are people who regret transitioning to some extent or another. They deserve to be heard. Their pain is real.
However, it should be noted they are, BY FAR, the minority of those who medically transition.
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However, it should be noted they are, BY FAR, the minority of those who medically transition.
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Every medical treatment has a regret rate. Transition regret is statistically lower than regret for most types of medical procedures.
In surveys, usually fewer than 1% say they have any regret whatsoever. The reasons for regret also vary.
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In surveys, usually fewer than 1% say they have any regret whatsoever. The reasons for regret also vary.
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Also, there are people who stop taking blockers and/or hormones and do not regret taking them but are often counted as detransitioners/desisters.
Their reasons for stopping include medical, financial and (quite often) societal pressures. Society is terrible to trans people.
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Their reasons for stopping include medical, financial and (quite often) societal pressures. Society is terrible to trans people.
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Rarely, a teen who said they were trans walks that back. Sometimes, that’s because they’re not trans.
Sometimes, however, it’s because they don’t have family or community support. Many go back into the closet and come back out later. There are countless stories like this.
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Sometimes, however, it’s because they don’t have family or community support. Many go back into the closet and come back out later. There are countless stories like this.
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Most young people feel anything BUT pressured to transition. In fact, the majority deal with heavy gatekeeping and often wait many months or years to access medical support, then have to advocate strongly for themselves (often many times over) to receive it.
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What worries me is how the media portrays detransition. We’re talking about a very small minority of a very small minority of people. Yet it gets front page attention like it’s some big, scary crisis when it really isn’t. This shows our society’s level of systemic transphobia.
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For every story of someone who stopped their transition for whatever reason, there are countless young people for whom transition was lifesaving. We can’t let the exception to the rule become a fear campaign against the trans community.
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Remember that those who are unhappiest are most likely speak out - on anything. But countless happy stories of transition are out there. Seek them out. My family is one example of affirming care and support saving lives. There are so many more.
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Follow trans people. Listen to trans people. Learn from trans people. Most people who write sensational stories about the trans experience are not trans, don't have trans family members and are looking for clicks. Be smart, do the research. Don't let fear drive you. Cheers.
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